Sharpening device



' Dec. 28, 1943. J. GALLO 2,338,033

SHARPENING DEVICE F iled Sept. 5, 1941 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Dec. 28; 1943. G'ALLO 2,338,033

I SHARPENING DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 28, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,338,033 SHARPENING DEVICE John Gallo, Boston, Mass.

Application September 3, 1941, Serial No. 409,431

Claims.

or" limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accordance with that more detailed descripticn, there is shown for exemplary purposes, in the accompanying drawings, in

Figure l, a side elevation of a sharpening'implement produced in accordance with the present invention; in v Figure 2 a section on the line 22 of Figure 1; in

Figure 3, a section through a modified form of sharpener produced in accordance with the present invention; in

Figure 4, a side elevation of a further modification produced in accordance with the present invention; in

Figure 5, a side elevation of a further modified form produced in accordance with the present invention; an

Figure 6, a top elevation partly in section of the form of device shown in Figure 5; in

Figure 7, a detail ofthe device of Figures 5 and 6; in-

Figure 8, a further modified form of instrument produced in accordance with the present invention; in

Figure a further modification of a device produced in accordance with the present invention; in

Figure it, a still further modified form of device produced in accordance with the present invention; in

Figure 11, a form in which the adjustment means is at the handle end of the device; and in Figure 12, a further modified form in which the adjustment means is at the handleend of the device.

In accordance with the present invention, sharpening implements are provided for knives and related articles utilizing opposed sharpening elements between which the knife blade or similar instrument edge is drawn; most desirably the sharpening element taking the form of metallic discs and in the preferred instance such sharpening discs being co-planar and having peripheral contact. The sharpening elements are mounted so that the distance between the sharpening elements may be varied while at the same time means are provided for fixing the position of the disc with respect to each other so that during actual use, the maximum distance between the sharpening elements is fixed. By the provision of such means, the bite of the sharpening elements may be changed from time to time as desired while still insuring that the distance between the sharpening elements will be maintained at a fixed position during actual use.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1, one form of sharpening implement produced in accordance with the present invention. As iliustrated, a body portion I of any desired cross-sectional contour has a handle portion 2 at one end thereof, rigidly held on the body member I. At the end opposite from that carrying the handle portion 2, the body member is provided with a threaded extension 3 for reception of the base member 2. In this form of the device, the base member 4 is shown as composed of a bodyv portion 5 which desirably may be made of plastic or any other desired material, having an inter nally threaded recess 6 enabling it to be applied to the threaded extension 3 of the body member I i; the body portion 5 desirably having a flexible covering such as l of rubber or any other desired material, so that the implement may be applied against any desired surface without any danger of marring the latter.

The sharpening elements may be of any desired type but as illustrated are preferably formed of metallic sharpening discsin the form of two opposed co-planar pairs mounted on opposite sides of the body member I intermediate between the handle portion 2 and the baseportion 4. Thus, a hole or perforation 8 is formed in the body portion l, throughwhich a shaft 9 extends on which are mounted the discs l0, ID, the ends of the shaft being enlarged or swaged over to form means for holding the discs in position. An ordinary rivet may be used as the shaft 9, the head it and burr i2 serving to hold the sharpening discs it, it in position. Desirably washers 13 are also provided. A second opening or perforation H3 is provided in the body'member- I ata distance-from the first perforation 8 so that the disc will have peripheral contact when urged toward each other by the tightening up of the base member 4 on the threaded extension 3. The perforation i4 is in the form of a longitudinal slot enabling the shaft l5 placed therein to be movable to vary the distance between the shafts 9 and It. A pair of sharpening discs it, it, are mounted on the shaft I5 on opposite sides of the body member I, and here again the shaft iii may take the form of an ordinary rivet, the enlarged head I"! and burr l8 serving to hold the sharpening discs l6, It in position; washers l9 being provided.

The base member 4 on being tightened on the threaded extension 3 of the body member i serves to force the pairs of coacting sharpening discs into peripheral contact with each other, a Washer 20 desirably being provided between the body portion 5 of the base member 3 and the sharpening discs I6, IG. By adjustment of the base member 4 on the threaded extension 3, the distance between the discs iii, ill and IE3, iii respectivel may be varied while at the same time in any predetermined set position, the base member t prevents movement of the discs away from each other to an extent predetermined by the positioning of the base member i,

In the form of device shown in Figures 3 and 4, the means for restricting the distance between the shafts carrying the sharpening discs takes the form of an element bearing directly against such movable shafts, and holding the latter in a predetermined position. As illustrated the body member 2! is provided at one end with an inter nally threaded hole or opening 23, for reception of the base member 2%, the latter carrying a knurled head 25 having a rubber tire 255, the head 24 carrying a screw El for reception in the internally threaded hole 23, the extreme inner end 38 of the screw 21 being adapted to engage against the shaft carrying the movable sharpening discs. Thus, the fixed shaft 29 carried in a hole or perforation in body member i carries sharpening discs 38, 36 on opposite sides oi the body member 2|, held on the shaft or rivet by means of the head 3i and burr 32, washers 83 being provided. The movable shaft 34 is placed in the elongated opening 35 and carries sharpening discs 3%, held in position by the head 3? and burr washers 39 being provided. The opening 23 in the end of the body portion M is carried all the way through into the elongated opening so that the screw 21 may be advanced in the hole '23 until its reduced end 28 engages against the shaft t l. It will thus be apparent that the positioning of the screw 21 will determine the maximum distance permissible between the shafts 29 and and once that distance has been predetermined by the position of the screw 2'1, the InaXirnum distance between the shafts 29 and 34 and consequently the coacting sharpening discs 3t, 3t and 3'5, 35 re spectively, will be fixed during use.

The modification shown in Figure 4 of the drawings is similar to that of Figure 3 except that the means for adjustment is modified so that a hammer headed element is made integral with the screw ii corresponding with the screw 21 of the device of Figure 3, the other elements of the structure of Figure i being substantially the same as those of Figure 3 and the adjustment being secured in an analogous way. The hammer headed base member id is readily gripped for adjustment and also because of its shape has utility in other directions.

In the form of invention shown in Figures 5 to 7, the body portion 55 carries an elongated looped handle portion 52 desirably integral with the body portion 55. The other end of the body portion 5| ends in a threaded extension 53 on which is placed the base portion 54 desirably made of a plastic body portion 55 carry ng the rubber cover or cap 56. A shaft which may be in the form of an ordinary rivet is carried in a hole or perforation in the body portion iii and carries a pair of sharpening discs til, placed on opposite sides of the body portion 5i and held in position on the shaft by the headed end d] and burr 62, Washers 63 being provided. The shaft 64 is carried in an elongated opening 65 in the body member iii properly positioned with respect to the shaft 53 and the first mentioned sharpening disc. The shaft fi l carries a pair of sharpening discs 6% on opposite sides of the body member 51 held in position by means of the head 67 and burr 6t, washers 69 being provided. In this case, the pressure exerted by tightening the base 54 on the threaded end of body member 5i is desirably applied to the movable discs 66, 58, through a washer ill having a recess H which recess is divided into a series of facets l2, desirably provided in opposite pairs within the recess '15 so that when the washer It? is pressed against the discs 6b, 65, the latter engage into a pair of opposite facets "it within the recess ii and the washer is locked in position and exerts pressure directly against the discs 65, (it.

in the utilization of a sharpening implement of the character shown in Figures 5 to 7, the same thing applies as has been set forth above in connection with the other forms of invention and particularly that illustrated in "Figures 1 and 2, both of which use a base portion threaded on an externally threaded end of the body portion in order to restrict the movement of the movable disc from the fixed disc during use while at the same time permitting adjustment of the distance between the discs as desired.

In the modification shown in Figure 3, the structure is generally similar to that explained above in connection with the devices of Figures 3 and 4, in that the body member 21 has the intemally threaded opening 23 into which the screw is threaded, the inner end of which contacts against the shaft 3 3 or the movable discs in the same manner as explained above in connection with Figures 3 and l. The movable discs are in co-planar peripheral contact with the discs 3d, til, the mounting of the pairs of sharpening discs 3@, 3E and 35, 36 respective ly, being identical with that described above in connection with the mounting of the same discs in the devices of Figures 3 and 4;. The adjustment screw iii which bears against the shaft 34 carrying the discs 3%, 35 is provided at its outer end with means for placing the implement against a Wall or table or similar object and maintaining it in position thereon by the use, for example, of the suction cup of the usual type 83, carried on the link 89 which is pivoted as shown at dd on the end of the screw 81. Desirably to hold the suction cup 83 in the angular position with respect to the screw d! and the implement itself, washers 9i, Eli are provided carried on the screw til with the interposed coil spring 92 about the screw 8? between the Washers iii, iii. The coil spring 52 forces the outer washor 95 against the link 89 and holds the suction cup in desired angular position, any one of three fixed positions being possible depending on Whether the Washer 9| engages against the face actual use.

asssps'e 93 or' the face 9:! or'the facetd-ofthe linkBQ. In the 'fullline position indicated in Figure 8 a right angular relation is indicated between'the suction cup 88 and the screw 8?: and implements by the Washer 9i bearing against face 93 of the link 89. In the'dotted position indicated'in Fig- 1 me 8, the suction cup 88 is at an angle of 180 with the screw 81 and maintainedin that position by the washer SH engaging against the face 94 of the link 89. In this way any desired fixed position may be obtained in three predetermined arrangements to hold the suction cup in desired position so thatthe implements may be securely planar peripherally contacting sharpening discs I8 and I6 mounted in the same wayas the discs III and I6 of Figures l and 2 on the body portion I. Theadjusting means includethe threaded extension Scarried on the end of the body mel ber I. A wing nut II)! is threaded upon the threaded extension ii and engages against the washerIDZ, arcuate in crossesection which bears against the adjustable disc It. The tightening of the wing nut III! on the threaded extension 3 forces the shoe Hi2 into contact with the disc I5 and provides for the-adjustment of distance between the discs it andit while at the same time restricting the maximum movement possible of the discs I6 from the discs I during In order to support the device as shown in this modification, a block I93 is loosely mounted on the bolt IM rigidly attachedto the extension 3 of'the body member I. The block I03 is mounted so that it will turn freely on the bolt I66 and the block E93 carries the eye till; which may be engaged with a nail or hook on a wall, for example, so that the sharpening implement may be held in that desired position during use. In utilization for sharpening purposes, the device is used in the same manner as in connection with the form of devices shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5-7.

In the modification shown in Figure 10, the internally threaded type is again employed substantially analogous to that explained above in connection with Figures 8 and 4, the screw i it having an outer hook portion l I i engaging on its inner end with the internal threaded portion of the extension IIZ of the body member 2i and engaging against the shaft on which the movable discs 36, 36 are mounted, enabling their positioning as desired with respect to the other set of coacting,. co-planar, peripherally contacting discs 38, 30, but restricting the maximum movement possible between the shafts, all as explained above in connection with the form oi devices shown in Figures 3 and 4. The hock member III enables the device to be mounted or held in position for use on a nail, hook or other device held in a wall or similar structure.

The forms of devices illustrated in Figures 1- 10 of the drawings show implements in which the adjustment means are operated from the base end of the device. Other arrangements are within the purview of the invention and as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the adjustment may be made from the handle end of the device.

body portion I2 I.

Thus asfshownin Figure 11, the body portion I2! is provided at one end with handle I22 threaded on the threaded extension I23 of the A base member I 24 in form, for example, of a rubberring is carried on the reduced portion I25 of body portion I2I and held in position by the head I26 which may be formed by swaging over the end of the reduced portion I25, a washer I21 beingdesirablyuse'd. A wing nut I28 threaded on the threaded extension I23 may be used for purposes'hereinafter set'forth.

The sharpening discs I29, and I30 are mounted in the same way as for the other forms of devicesdescribed' above except that in this instance the hole I3I is used on the handle side of the sharpening discs, an enlarged hole being illustrated in lieu of the slot I l of Figure 2. Enlarged holes or slotsmay be used as desired, the shape of the opening being immaterial so long as longitudinal movement of the shaft I32 carrying discs I3?) is possible to and from the shaft carrying discs #29,

In this form of device the distance between the sharpening discs may be varied but the maximum distanceis predetermined from the handle end. While the handle I22 may be tightened on the threaded projection I23 against the discs I38 to limit the position'of the latter, more desirably the wing nut I23 is used for that purpose, a sufficient length of threaded projection I23 being provided for that purpose.

Figure 12 also shows a form of device generally similar to that of Figure 11 in that the threaded extension M3 on the handle end of the body portion Hi5 carries the handle M2 and Wing nut M8 for limiting the movement of the sharpening discs M5 and We with respect to each other, the

sharpening discs being mounted on the body member N l similarly to that of any of the previously described devices.

p In the iorm shown in Figure 12, the threaded extension M53 is square in cross-section, the longitudinal edges of the extension being cut to form the threads as shown at I5I. In addition the body portion MI is provided at the end I52 opposite to that of the handle with an opening I53 for reception of the shank I54 of the eye I55. The eye I55 may be held in position in any desired way. As shown, the inner end of the shank I54 is enlarged as shown at I56 and such enlargement may be formed by punching the shank fiat, which operation may be carried out through the transverse hole I51 in the body por tion I iI. In other respects the device of Figure 12 is similar to that of Figure 11.

The devices of the present invention supply sharpening implements for knives and related devices that are readily manufactured at relatively economical cost. Hardened steel discs are desirably employed for the sharpening discs but other forms of sharpening discs may be employed if desired. A double or two-way knife sharpener is readily produced in accordance with the present invention which is quite strong and of low expense. Desirably in using the Sharpeners they are held in such a position that the knife, for

example, is drawn across the sharpening discs, the knife being held in a substantially horizontal position while the sharpening discs are held at an angle of 45". The sharpener may be reversed and the other pair of sharpening discs employed for a finishing cut or by loosening the base portion and .similar elements, turning the discs somewhat, and then tightening again a new bite is obtained. The distance between the discs is predetermined as indicated above for any particular operation.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

1. A tool for sharpening knives and related instruments which comprises a body member having a threaded end, a shaft carried on said body member, a sharpening disc mounted on said shaft, a second shaft carried on said body member movably positioned with respect to the said first mentioned shaft, a sharpening disc on said second shaft having peripheral contact with said first mentioned disc, and means for restricting the distance of the movable shaft and disc carried thereon from the other shaft and disc during use, said means including a washer carried on said body member adjacent the periphery of the movable disc, and a base portion adjustably car ried on the threaded end of the body member to engage against the washer and force the latter into engagement with the periphery of the movable disc.

2. A tool for sharpening knives and related instruments which comprises a body member, a shaft carried thereon, a pair of sharpening discs mounted on said shaft on opposite sides of said body member, a second shaft carried on said body member movably positioned with respect to said first mentioned shaft, a pair of sharpening discs on said second shaft on opposite sides of said body member, said second discs having peripheral contact with said first mentioned discs, and a base portion carried on said body member for restricting the distance of the movable shaft and disc carried thereon from the other shaft and disc during use.

3. A tool for sharpening knives and related instruments which comprises a body member having a threaded end, a shaft carried on said body member, a sharpening disc mounted on said shaft, a second shaft carried on said body member movably positioned with respect to the said first mentioned shaft, a sharpening disc on said second shaft having peripheral contact with said first mentioned disc, and means for restricting the distance of the movable shaft and disc carried thereon from the other shaft and disc during use, said means including an element threaded on t e threaded nd of the body member adjacent the periphery of the movable disc to engag against said movable disc.

4. A tool for sharpening knives and related instruments which comprises a body member having a threaded end, a shaft carried on said body member, a sharpening disc mounted on said shaft, a second shaft carried on said body member movably positioned with respect to the said first mentioned shaft, a sharpening disc on said second shaft having peripheral contact with said first mentioned disc, and means for restricting the distance of the movable shaft and disc carried thereon from the other shaft and disc during use, said means including a handle threaded on the threaded end of the body member adjacent the periphery of the movable disc to engage against said movable disc.

5. A tool for sharpening knives and related instruments which comprises a body member having a threaded end, a shaft carried on said body member, a sharpening disc mounted on said shaft, a second shaft carried on said body member movably positioned with respect to the said first mentioned shaft, a sharpening disc on said second shaft having peripheral contact with said first mentioned disc, and means for restricting the distance of the movable shaft and disc carried thereon from the other shaft and disc during use, said means including a nut threaded on the threaded end of the body member adjacent the periphery of the movable disc to engage against said movable disc and a handle on the threaded end of the body member.

JOHN GALLO. 

